Impressionism was a 19th century art movement that began as a loose association
of Paris-based artists who began publicly exhibiting their art in the
1860s. The name of the movement is derived from Claude Monet's Impression,
Sunrise (Impression, soleil levant). Critic Louis Leroy inadvertently
coined the term in a satiric review published in Le Charivari.

Characteristics of Impressionist painting include visible
brushstrokes, light colors, open composition, emphasis on light in its
changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time),
ordinary subject matter, and unusual visual angles.

The influence of Impressionist thought spread beyond the
art world, leading to Impressionist music and Impressionist literature.

Impressionism also describes art done in this style, but
outside of the late 19th century time period.